| Issue |
EAS Publications Series
Volume 40, 2010
3rd ARENA Conference: An Astronomical Observatory at CONCORDIA (Dome C, Antarctica)
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|
|---|---|---|
| Page(s) | 89 - 96 | |
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.1051/eas/1040011 | |
| Published online | 23 December 2009 | |
L. Spinoglio and N. Epchtein (eds)
EAS Publications Series, 40 (2010) 89-96
The best site on Earth?
1
School of Physics, University of New South Wales, USA
2
NASA Langley Research Center, USA
3
Space Sciences Lab., University of California Berkeley, USA
4
Department of Astronomy and Steward Observatory, University of Arizona, USA
We compare the merits of potential observatory sites on the Antarctic Plateau, in regard to the boundary layer, cloud cover, free atmosphere seeing, aurorae, airglow, and precipitable water vapour. We find that (a) all Antarctic sites are likely compromised for optical work by airglow and aurorae; (b) Dome A is the best existing site in almost all respects; (c) there is an even better site (“Ridge A”) 150 kms SW of Dome A; (d) Dome F is a remarkably good site except for aurorae; (e) Dome C probably has the least cloud cover of any of the sites, and might be able to use a predicted `OH hole' in the Spring.
© EAS, EDP Sciences, 2010